ONAMIA, Minn. (KMSP) -
On Tuesday night, the high school volleyball team in Onamia, Minn., returned to the court just days after a tragic accident claimed the life of a beloved player who was struck by a vehicle and killed while walking on a rural road with friends.
The girls, who were fighting through tears, were lifted by an outpouring of support from their small, tight-knit community that came from the packed bleachers.
Even though it was hard for Katelin Sawyer's teammates to return to the action without No. 4 by their side, the sea of fans wearing green and posters of support showed the Panthers entered the match with a mission in mind.
"We're going to kick butt tonight," Kayla LoBejko predicted. "We're going to win. For her, we're going to win."
In the end, the Panthers did ride their wave of emotions to a four-set victory while members of Sawyer's family -- including her father -- watched and cheered them as they took their first steps on the long road to healing.
The match began with a heart-felt tribute and a moment of silence to remember the 14-year-old freshman, who died just four days before while she was on the way to the Onamia High School football game. Witnesses and authorities call the crash a tragic accident, saying a blinding setting sun is likely to blame.
"Just a tremendous tragedy," said Larry Ronglien, principal of Onamia High School. "Can't imagine what the family is going through with this. Just tragedy, all the way around."
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday afternoon at the school. Classes will be dismissed a couple of hours early so that students and teachers can say their last goodbyes.
